10 SYMBIOGENES1S 



same may be said of Prof. Keeble's consideration of 

 protoplasm : 



The "nervous impulse" may well be of chemical nature, and 

 transmission of such an impulse through living tissues does not connote 

 definite specialised nerves. It is as much the property of protoplasm 

 to transmit nervous impulses as it is of fire to burn, or of a lit fuse 

 to explode a charge of gunpowder. Protoplasm is an apparatus for 

 that purpose; as well, of course, as for other purposes. 



The universal (protoplasmic) kinship of life is thus 

 brought home to us, and the inherent proclivity of that 

 mysterious element " life " for certain activities in parti- 

 cular those calculated to uphold and to advance it is 

 manifested. We see that the natural proclivity of organisms 

 for work has a universal significance, i.e., as indicating the 

 persistence of that kinship of life. We realise that living 

 protoplasm is an apparatus for "work." It is equipped for 

 " work." So much so, that all evolution is based on this 

 equipment for "work." This is our economic interpretation 

 of Prof. Keeble's remark that " Evolution, as we know it, has 

 but resulted in the perfecting and complicating of these reflex 

 arcs," which are adaptations for increasing efficiency for 

 work. 



How much depends in evolution on the development of 

 those autonomous powers postulated by my economic theory 

 becomes evident .after a brief consideration of the tropistic 

 behaviour of the plant-animals in the laboratory as given by 

 Prof. Keeble. He concludes that reflexes are no more the 

 masters of an organism than are conscious acts. They are but 

 servants assisting the organism to accomplish its ends. 

 Under abnormal and well-nigh impossible conditions, the organism, 

 high or low, is an automaton the creature of inevitable nervous 

 responses reflex or conscious. Under normal conditions of life it 

 responds now this way and now that to external or internal stimuli, 

 and so appears to act as a free agent. . . The apparent inevitability 

 of reflexes is but an indication of habit. . . Hence, by playing on its 

 habitual tropisms, it is easy in the laboratory to lure an organism to 

 its doom. 



The universal equipment of living protoplasm for work 



